Armenian, regional experts tell U.S. Helsinki Commission a signed Armenia–Azerbaijan peace treaty could unlock trade and security but faces political hurdles

Members of the U.S. Helsinki Commission heard a panel of Armenian and regional experts on the prospects for a signed peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the role the United States could play in finalizing and then implementing that accord.

In opening remarks, a member of the Armenia–U.S. parliamentary friendship group in the Parliament of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Karabatyan, said the two countries had “concluded negotiations on the agreement on peace and establishment of interstate relations,” and that “Armenia has also expressed readiness to sign the peace agreement immediately.” She told commissioners that, in her view, a signed treaty is necessary to “institutionalize peace in our region.”

Why this matters: panelists said a signed treaty would replace ad hoc conflict-management mechanisms, open the South Caucasus to transit and trade, and allow both countries to pursue economic integration and connectivity projects. The panel described the moment as a strategic opportunity for U.S. diplomacy to encourage stability in a region that links Europe and Central Asia.

Panel testimony and major themes

Dr. Jennifer Wistrand, identified in the hearing as deputy director of the Kennan Institute until recently, addressed common narratives about the conflict and cautioned against reducing it to religious terms. “I do not think that this has ever or is now about Christians versus Muslims,” she said, urging that historical and socioeconomic factors be recognized when crafting post‑agreement confidence‑building measures.